Question. What is your rank and position in the navy, and where are you stationed at this time?
Answer. I am a lieutenant commander, and commandant of the United States gunboat Tuscumbia, and the 7th district of the Mississippi squadron, which extends from the headwaters of the Tennessee river to Cairo.
Question. How long have you been in service in the west?
Answer. I have been attached to this squadron since the 6th of September, 1862.
Question. You are acquainted with the immense amount of public property at Mound City and Cairo?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Do you consider that there is a permanent force here, both naval and military, large enough for its protection?
Answer. I do not consider that there has been force enough here heretofore.
Question. What, in your judgment, would be a force sufficient to render that protection and security which the place ought to have?
Answer. I should think it would take a couple of gunboats, and at least two full regiments. The great danger to be apprehended here is from fire.